Scars decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a burn scar on his left lower extremity, finding that it was due to willful misconduct.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, and he has additional disabilities that independently rate at 60 percent or more. He is not in need of regular aid and attendance but is substantially confined to his dwelling due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The Board denied the claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as his service-connected conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantial and gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected laceration scars on his right middle finger and left thumb, finding that they did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected status post open reduction with internal fixation of the left radius and ulnar fracture with scar warrants an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his scar on the right leg, finding that the current noncompensable evaluation is appropriate based on the lack of functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities of headaches, jaw problems, facial scars, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are results of his inservice motor vehicle accident.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, hearing loss, and forehead scar were all granted with effective dates of November 9, 2001. The conditions are presumed to be related to military service or noise exposure.

The veteran's three small atrophic hyperpigmented scars on the right forearm are as likely as not the result of military testing with toxic chemicals during his service, and thus he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right-sided paralysis and a compensable evaluation for a scar residual to a fracture of the right zygomatic arch due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left arm scar residuals do not warrant an increased evaluation, and his claims for bilateral hip and leg disabilities were denied due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship with service.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for his shrapnel scar over the left lateral malleolus was denied. The RO awarded a 10 percent rating effective from March 15, 2001.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's chest keloid scar, based on the combination of tender and disfiguring characteristics.

The Board has affirmed the current 10 percent rating for a scar of the left tibial area, finding no evidence of symptoms or manifestations warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations was denied as he does not meet the regulatory criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's disabilities, including back pain, PTSD, and knee injury, have rendered him unemployable due to his age, education, and occupational history. Effective September 17, 2001, the veteran is entitled to a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes.

The veteran's claims for various conditions were denied by the RO. The Board found that none of these conditions are related to service, and some may be secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates and ratings, finding no CUE in the original decisions.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's left middle finger scar, finding no evidence of motion limitation or other functional impairment.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted with an effective date of July 15, 1996.